Hoang-To advises the newly engaged to be realistic about how expensive a wedding can be. Most brides using her site, Wedding-Spot.com, plan to spend about $18,000-25,000 for the venue, catering and equipment alone, she says. That’s higher than the national average estimated by TheKnot.com ($12,905) and the $11,329 estimated by The Wedding Report. “You just don’t know how expensive even small details can be until you price them out,” she says, especially in the pricey Bay Area.

Image 1 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Nail down a budget.

Hoang-To advises the newly engaged to be realistic about how expensive a wedding can be. Most brides using her site, Wedding-Spot.com, plan to spend about $18,000-25,000 for the venue, catering and equipment alone, she says. That’s higher than the national average estimated by TheKnot.com ($12,905) and the $11,329 estimated by The Wedding Report. “You just don’t know how expensive even small details can be until you price them out,” she says, especially in the pricey Bay Area.

Nail down a budget.

Hoang-To advises the...newly engaged to be realistic about how expensive a wedding can be....Most brides using her site, Wedding-Spot.com, plan to spend about...$18,000-25,000 for the venue, catering and equipment alone, she says....That’s higher than the national average estimated by TheKnot.com...($12,905) and the $11,329 estimated by The Wedding Report. “You just...don’t know how expensive even small details can be until you price...them out,” she says, especially in the pricey Bay Area.

Image 2 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Jamie Grill / Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Nail down a budget.

According to a 2013 report from The Wedding Report, Inc., it’s estimated that 2,083,000 couples will get married in 2014, spending on average $26,251 on their wedding. Most couples go over budget, so Wedding Spot’s Tina Hoang-To recommends asking local friends to get a rough baseline for what you might expect to pay for a florist, venue, DJ or photographer.

Image 2 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Nail down a budget.

According to a 2013 report from The Wedding Report, Inc., it’s estimated that 2,083,000 couples will get married in 2014, spending on average $26,251 on their wedding. Most couples go over budget, so Wedding Spot’s Tina Hoang-To recommends asking local friends to get a rough baseline for what you might expect to pay for a florist, venue, DJ or photographer.

Nail down a budget.

According to a 2013...report from The Wedding Report, Inc., it’s estimated that 2,083,000...couples will get married in 2014, spending on average $26,251 on their...wedding. Most couples go over budget, so Wedding Spot’s Tina...Hoang-To recommends asking local friends to get a rough baseline for...what you might expect to pay for a florist, venue, DJ or...photographer.

Image 3 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Walter B. McKenzie / Getty Images

Narrow your guest list.

Approximate the scope of your guest list after determining the budget but before considering venues, Hoang-To says. Each guest adds on average about $62 in catering alone, according to a 2012 study from TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. In other words, a 300-head blowout might seem fun, until you consider the cost.

Image 3 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Narrow your guest list.

Approximate the scope of your guest list after determining the budget but before considering venues, Hoang-To says. Each guest adds on average about $62 in catering alone, according to a 2012 study from TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. In other words, a 300-head blowout might seem fun, until you consider the cost.

Narrow your guest list.

Approximate the...scope of your guest list after determining the budget but before...considering venues, Hoang-To says. Each guest adds on average about...$62 in catering alone, according to a 2012 study from TheKnot.com and...WeddingChannel.com. In other words, a 300-head blowout might seem fun,...until you consider the cost.

Image 4 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Tetra Images - Jamie Grill / Getty Images/Brand X

Narrow your guest list.

In 2014, The Wedding Report expects the average number of wedding guests to be between 130 and 140.

Image 4 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Narrow your guest list.

In 2014, The Wedding Report expects the average number of wedding guests to be between 130 and 140.

Narrow your guest list.

In 2014, The Wedding...Report expects the average number of wedding guests to be between 130...and 140.

Image 5 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Michelle Nicole / Wedding Spot

Research—and book—your venue.

The venue and catering are where Hoang-To sees most couples blowing their budget. “They start looking and fall in love with a space,” she says, before estimating the costs involved. On her site, which is like Kayak.com for wedding venues, she can observe a “drop-off point” after users price out their dream venue. (Pictured is favorite local venue the Julia Morgan Ballroom.)

Image 5 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Research—and book—your venue.

The venue and catering are where Hoang-To sees most couples blowing their budget. “They start looking and fall in love with a space,” she says, before estimating the costs involved. On her site, which is like Kayak.com for wedding venues, she can observe a “drop-off point” after users price out their dream venue. (Pictured is favorite local venue the Julia Morgan Ballroom.)

Research—and book—your venue.

The venue...and catering are where Hoang-To sees most couples blowing their...budget. “They start looking and fall in love with a space,” she...says, before estimating the costs involved. On her site, which is like...Kayak.com for wedding venues, she can observe a “drop-off point”...after users price out their dream venue. (Pictured is favorite local...venue the Julia Morgan...Ballroom.)

Image 6 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Jennifer Skog / Wedding Spot

Research—and book—your venue.

Most engagements last 12 to 18 months, but Hoang-To explains that’s often because people are waiting on venue availability. “It’s not that they don’t want to get married this year. All the top venues are booked up.” (Pictured is favorite local venue the Viansa Winery.)

Image 6 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Research—and book—your venue.

Most engagements last 12 to 18 months, but Hoang-To explains that’s often because people are waiting on venue availability. “It’s not that they don’t want to get married this year. All the top venues are booked up.” (Pictured is favorite local venue the Viansa Winery.)

Research—and book—your venue.

Most...engagements last 12 to 18 months, but Hoang-To explains that’s often...because people are waiting on venue availability. “It’s not that...they don’t want to get married this year. All the top venues are...booked up.” (Pictured is favorite local venue the Viansa Winery.)

Image 7 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Danielle Olson / Wedding Spot

Research—and book—your venue.

Hoang-To, who created Wedding Spot to match wedding venues with engaged couples, estimates that the recently engaged are probably looking at a wedding date in 2015. “If you’re lucky,” she says. “Most likely, the venue is the deciding factor of how long you’re planning to take.” (Pictured is favorite local venue the Bently Reserve.)

Image 7 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Research—and book—your venue.

Hoang-To, who created Wedding Spot to match wedding venues with engaged couples, estimates that the recently engaged are probably looking at a wedding date in 2015. “If you’re lucky,” she says. “Most likely, the venue is the deciding factor of how long you’re planning to take.” (Pictured is favorite local venue the Bently Reserve.)

Research—and book—your venue.

Hoang-To,...who created Wedding Spot to match wedding venues with engaged couples,...estimates that the recently engaged are probably looking at a wedding...date in 2015. “If you’re lucky,” she says. “Most likely, the...venue is the deciding factor of how long you’re planning to take.”...(Pictured is favorite local venue the Bently Reserve.)

Image 8 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Verite Photography / Wedding Spot

Research—and book—your venue.

The Wedding Report anticipates June, May and September to be the months most in demand for wedding venues. So that means the newly engaged have about half a year—or up to 20 months—to plan a wedding. (Pictured is favorite local venue the CornerStone onoma.)

Image 8 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Research—and book—your venue.

The Wedding Report anticipates June, May and September to be the months most in demand for wedding venues. So that means the newly engaged have about half a year—or up to 20 months—to plan a wedding. (Pictured is favorite local venue the CornerStone onoma.)

Research—and book—your venue.

The...Wedding Report anticipates June, May and September to be the months...most in demand for wedding venues. So that means the newly engaged...have about half a year—or up to 20 months—to plan a wedding....(Pictured is favorite local venue the CornerStone onoma.)

Image 9 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

W Photography / Wedding Spot

Research—and book—your venue.

The more affordable venues on Wedding Spot, which has venues in New York, Northern California and Southern California (more than 325 venues total), are in the $3,000-$5,000 range, Hoang-To says. Association for Wedding Professionals International president Richard Market estimates that the venue can be as much as 50 percent of a wedding’s cost. (Pictured is favorite local venue the Kohl Mansion.)

Image 9 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Research—and book—your venue.

The more affordable venues on Wedding Spot, which has venues in New York, Northern California and Southern California (more than 325 venues total), are in the $3,000-$5,000 range, Hoang-To says. Association for Wedding Professionals International president Richard Market estimates that the venue can be as much as 50 percent of a wedding’s cost. (Pictured is favorite local venue the Kohl Mansion.)

Research—and book—your venue.

The more...affordable venues on Wedding Spot, which has venues in New York,...Northern California and Southern California (more than 325 venues...total), are in the $3,000-$5,000 range, Hoang-To says. Association for...Wedding Professionals International president Richard Market estimates...that the venue can be as much as 50 percent of a wedding’s cost....(Pictured is favorite local venue the Kohl...Mansion.)

Image 10 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Dana Hoff / Getty Images

Make it a date.

Often, the venue dictates the date, so it helps to keep an open mind on your ideal timeline, Hoang-To says.

Image 10 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Make it a date.

Often, the venue dictates the date, so it helps to keep an open mind on your ideal timeline, Hoang-To says.

Make it a date.

Often, the venue dictates...the date, so it helps to keep an open mind on your ideal timeline,...Hoang-To says.

Image 11 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Tamara Murray / Getty Images

Make it a date.

According to The Wedding Report, most weddings this year will fall in June, May and September, so if you’re recently engaged, you might be looking at 2015 before your favorite venue is available.

Image 11 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Make it a date.

According to The Wedding Report, most weddings this year will fall in June, May and September, so if you’re recently engaged, you might be looking at 2015 before your favorite venue is available.

Make it a date.

According to The Wedding...Report, most weddings this year will fall in June, May and September,...so if you’re recently engaged, you might be looking at 2015 before...your favorite venue is available.

Image 12 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Dress the part.

Most dresses are handmade to order, so finding the right dress can be the first step in a long process—sometimes alterations alone can take up to three months. After finding the venue and putting your wedding date on the calendar, find a dress that matches sooner, rather than later, Hoang-To advises.

Image 12 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Dress the part.

Most dresses are handmade to order, so finding the right dress can be the first step in a long process—sometimes alterations alone can take up to three months. After finding the venue and putting your wedding date on the calendar, find a dress that matches sooner, rather than later, Hoang-To advises.

Dress the part.

Most dresses are handmade...to order, so finding the right dress can be the first step in a long...process—sometimes alterations alone can take up to three months....After finding the venue and putting your wedding date on the calendar,...find a dress that matches sooner, rather than later, Hoang-To...advises.

Image 13 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Dress the part.

“I thought you can just go pick out a dress, and get it altered, and two months later, it’s done,” says Wedding Spot CEO Hoang-To of her October 2012 ceremony. But it turns out that finding the right dress might take less time than having your dress in hand.

Image 13 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Dress the part.

“I thought you can just go pick out a dress, and get it altered, and two months later, it’s done,” says Wedding Spot CEO Hoang-To of her October 2012 ceremony. But it turns out that finding the right dress might take less time than having your dress in hand.

Dress the part.

“I thought you can just...go pick out a dress, and get it altered, and two months later, it’s...done,” says Wedding Spot CEO Hoang-To of her October 2012 ceremony....But it turns out that finding the right dress might take less time...than having your dress in hand.

Image 14 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Jamie Grill / Getty Images

Find the right photographer.

Freelance photographers usually work on their own, but in a photography company, they might send out a colleague or an assistant if the main photographer is booked, Hoang-To has found. According to 2012’s Real Weddings Survey of brides on TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, the average amount spent on photography was $2,379. A just like venues, in-demand photographers are often booked far in advance.

Image 14 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Find the right photographer.

Freelance photographers usually work on their own, but in a photography company, they might send out a colleague or an assistant if the main photographer is booked, Hoang-To has found. According to 2012’s Real Weddings Survey of brides on TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, the average amount spent on photography was $2,379. A just like venues, in-demand photographers are often booked far in advance.

Find the right photographer.

Freelance...photographers usually work on their own, but in a photography company,...they might send out a colleague or an assistant if the main...photographer is booked, Hoang-To has found. According to 2012’s Real...Weddings Survey of brides on TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, the...average amount spent on photography was $2,379. A just like venues,...in-demand photographers are often booked far in advance.

Image 15 of 15|Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy / Getty Images

Find the right photographer.

Wedding Spot CEO Tina Hoang-To, who plans to add wedding vendors like photographers and florists to the wedding venue-booking site this year, recommends looking at more than one sample wedding before booking a photographer. “Try to find a wedding in the same season and with a similar color scene,” she says, to avoid surprises after the wedding.

Image 15 of 15 - Top 6 things you should do after getting engaged

Find the right photographer.

Wedding Spot CEO Tina Hoang-To, who plans to add wedding vendors like photographers and florists to the wedding venue-booking site this year, recommends looking at more than one sample wedding before booking a photographer. “Try to find a wedding in the same season and with a similar color scene,” she says, to avoid surprises after the wedding.

Find the right photographer.

Wedding Spot...CEO Tina Hoang-To, who plans to add wedding vendors like photographers...and florists to the wedding venue-booking site this year, recommends...looking at more than one sample wedding before booking a photographer....“Try to find a wedding in the same season and with a similar color...scene,” she says, to avoid surprises after the wedding.

It happens each year between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. While the exact numbers are hard to pin down, your Facebook feed confirms what the wedding industry has been banking on for years: It’s officially Engagement Season.

“We are in the middle of ‘proposal time,’ confirms Richard Market, president of the Association for Wedding Professionals International. He estimates that between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, as many as 48 percent of this year’s brides-to-be get their engagement rings.

What to do after the proposal—aside from calling friends and family and staging a “like”-garnering social media announcement—is often less obvious. We talked to Wedding Spot CEO Tina Hoang-To, whose site lets couples research and compare wedding venues, to learn the ideal first steps in planning a wedding.

Scroll the slideshow (above) to find out more about her top six tips for the newly engaged:

1. Nail down a budget.

2. Narrow your guest list.

3. Research—and book—your venue.

4. Make it a date.

5. Dress the part.

6. Find the right photographer.

Something not to stress out about? The wedding favors, Hoang-To says. “I think people really stress out about that sometimes and brides go overboard with handmade favors, but wedding favors often just get left behind,” she says. “People care about being there with you, the venue—what they see, and the food—that’s what they eat.”